Written question asked by David Lidington (Conservative) on Wednesday, 26 June 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 July 2002. It was answered by Baroness Beckett (Labour) on Monday, 8 July 2002 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her target date is for eliminating the backlog of herd tests for Bovine TB. - Inc figure. (Holding answer 1 July 2002).

Answer: Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her target date is for eliminating the backlog of herd tests for Bovine TB. [65473] Margaret Beckett: [holding answer 1 July 2002]: The rolling nature of the backlog of herd testing for bovine TB makes it difficult for us to set a specific target for its elimination although we are working hard to address the backlog which currently stands at 20K. As overdue tests are cleared, more fall due and join the backlog. In addition as further incidents of TB are disclosed more testing is triggered.

Secondary information